Apparatus for driving components into a workpiece



1964 A. J. vRsEcKY 3,144,706

APPARATUS FOR DRIVING COMPONENTS INTO A WORKPIECE Filed June 9, 1961 l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 jj 5i 1 INVENTOR 1725/2022; JViwec/Zjg,

ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1964 APPARATUS FOR DRIVING COMPONENTS INTO A WORKPIECE Filed June 9, 1961 A. J. VRSECKY 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1964 A. J. VRSECKY 3,144,706

APPARATUS FOR DRIVING COMPONENTS INTO A WORKPIECE Filed June 9, 1961 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Arziazzj J'Wiea)% ATTORNEY g- 13, 1964 A. J. vRsEcKY 3,144,706

APPARATUS FOR DRIVING COMPONENTS INTO A WORKPIECE Filed June 9, 1961 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV EN TOR zi'vibizy JVr'rseai g ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1964 A. J. VRSECKY APPARATUS FOR DRIVING COMPONENTS INTO A WORKPIECE l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 9, 1961 6 a i A A 5A A w w FWW INVENTOR fl zbz /Jfi'seai g,

ATTORNEY 'A g- 1964 A. J. VRSECKY 3,144,706

APPARATUS FOR naxvmc; COMPONENTS INTO A WORKPIECE .Filed June 9, 1961 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR zlfniizwzy J Z'sea/Z'y,

BY A w ATTORNEY g- 18, 1964 A.. .w... V'RSECKY APPARATUS FOR DRIVING COMPONENTS INTO A WORKPTLECE l0 Sheets-Sheet.- '7."

Filed June 9, 1961 ATTORNEY 18, 1964 A. J. VRSECKY 3,144,706"

APPARATUS FOR DRIVING COMPONENTS INTO A WQRKPIECE Filed June 9, 1961 10. Sheets-Sheet. 8

ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1964 A. J. VRSIECKY APPARATUS FOR muvmc COMPONEN'IVS INTO A woax mca Filed June's, 1961 11o Sheets-Sheet )9 INVENTOR .drz Zoa] Jfi'se aly,

ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1964 A. J. VRSECKY APPARATUS FOR DRIVING COMPONENTS INTO A WORKPIECE 1O Sheets-Sheet 1O INVENTOR I flzifia/g Jhzseai BY z.

Filed June 9, 1961 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,144,706 APPARATUS FOR DRIVING COMPONENTS INTG A WORKPIECE Anthony .9. Vrsecky, Winston-Salem, N.C., assignor to Westem Electric Company, Incorporated, New York,

N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed .lnne 9, 1961, Ser. No. 116,203 14 Claims. (Cl. 29-203) This invention relates to an apparatus for driving components into a workpiece, and more particularly to a mechanism for setting an array of terminals into apertures provided in a terminal board.

In the manufacture of electrical components such as terminal boards, a large number of terminals must be sequentially aligned with and driven into the terminal board. Hand operations wherein pliers and hammers have been employed for holding the terminal blocks and driving the terminals into the blocks have proven grossly incapable of meeting volume production demands.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved device for driving components into a workpiece.

Another object of this invention is to provide a terminal setting mechanism for advancing predetermined arrays of terminals into an array of apertures formed in a terminal block.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of an indexing carrier for successively advancing a terminal block into position for receiving a set of terminals from a group of terminal setting mechanisms.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a terminal block carrier having facilities for actuating a terminal feed device during advancement of a terminal block into alignment with the terminal feed device.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a plurality of terminal guides, each having a terminal advancing device movable therethrough for driving terminals received in the terminal guides into terminal blocks aligned therewith by an indexing carrier.

An additional object of this invention resides in the provision of a terminal guide cylinder rotated for receiving terminals during advancement of a terminal block into alignment therewith wherein terminal pushers received in the guide cylinder are rendered effective upon alignment of the terminal block with the guide cylinder to advance the terminals into the aligned terminal block.

With these and other objects in view, the present invention contemplates a device for feeding terminal blocks into slots successively advanced thereto by an indexing carrier. Clamps provided on the carrier hold each block in the slots as the carrier advances the blocks into successive alignment with a group of opposed pairs of terminal setting devices. Advancement of the carrier actuates terminal guide devices, provided in each of the terminal setting devices, for receiving terminals whereupon terminal advancing blades received in each guide device are actuated for advancing the terminals through the guide devices and into assembled relationship with the aligned terminal blocks.

A complete understanding of this invention may be had by referring to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a frame for supporting a group of opposed pairs of terminal setting mechanisms and an indexing drive for rotating a carrier relative to the terminal setting mechanisms according to the principles of the invention;

3,144,706 Patented Aug. 18, 1964 ice FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing a device for locking the carrier against rotation wherein a slot provided in the carrier is held in alignment with one of the opposed pairs of terminal setting mechanisms;

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned elevational view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing a terminal block feeding mechanism for serially feeding terminal blocks into the slots provided in the carrier;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2 showing a clamping device rendered effective by cam surfaces attached to the frame for clamping a terminal block in one of the slots provided in the carrier;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned side view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3 showing spaced guide members slidably supporting one of a pair of opposed clamping members of the clamping device;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 4 showing a completely assembled terminal block that has been released by retraction of the pair of opposed clamping members into a non-clamping position;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 1 showing a terminal guide cylinder having terminals received therein for advancement by a pair of pusher blades through chambers provided in the guide cylinder into a terminal block held in alignment with the chambers by the clamping members;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the guide cylinder showing a chute for feeding terminals from a terminal supply to the chambers provided in the guide cylinder;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 99 of FIG. 7 showing a pair of semicylindrical members held together by fasteners for forming the guide cylinder wherein recesses machined in each of the semicylindrical members form the terminal receiving guide chambers;

FIG. 10 is a view of the same apparatus disclosed in FIG. 7 wherein the pusher blades have been actuated to advance the terminals through the guide cylinder and into the terminal block;

FIG. 11 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the guide cylinder disclosed in FIGS. 7 and 9, showing cylindrical pushrods received in cylindrical guide chambers formed in a guide cylinder for advancing pin-like terminals through the guide chambers;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 11 showing a pair of opposed semicylindrical members held together by fasteners for forming the alternate embodiment of the guide cylinder shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an electropneumatic control circuit showing switches actuated by various mechanisms of the terminal setting apparatus for controlling the operation of the terminal setting mechanisms and the indexing carrier.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 a device 14 for feeding workpieces, which may, for the purposes of description, be electrical terminal blocks 15. The device 14 feeds the terminal blocks 15 into receiving slots 16 provided in an indexing disk or carrier plate 17. The indexing plate 17 advances the terminal blocks 15 received in the slots 16 into successive alignment with five opposed pairs of terminal setting mechanisms 19 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 10) which are actuated to advance a set of elongated components or terminals 20 (FIG. 10) from a terminal supply source 21 into the terminal blocks 15. When the last terminal 20 of each set of terminals has been advanced into a terminal block 15, the completed assembly 22 (FIG. 6) is discharged from the terminal setting apparatus through an unloading chute 24 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a base supporting opposed upright frame members 26, each of which support on an upper horizontal surface 27 thereof a journal 28. A main drive shaft 30 is mounted between the members 26 for rotation in the journals 28. Bearings 31, mounted on the shaft 30, each support eight ribs 32 which extend radially outward therefrom. The ribs 32 that are mounted on the left-hand bearing 31 (as viewed in FIG. 2), support a cam plate 33. In a similar manner, the ribs 32 that are mounted to the right-hand bearing 31 (as viewed in FIG. 2), support a second cam plate 35 mounted opposite to the first cam plate 33. Bridge members 36 are fixed to and maintain the cam plates 33 and 35 in parallel relationship. The lowermost bridge member 37 (as viewed in FIG. 2) is connected to brackets 38 that are mounted to the upright frame members 26 for maintaining the bridge members 36, and therefore the cam plates 33 and 35, locked against rotation with the shaft 30.

Drive Mechanism The shaft 30 is indexed by a ratchet and pawl drive mechanism, generally referred to by the reference numeral 40. The drive mechanism 40 includes an air cylinder 41 that is pivotally mounted on a pin 42 that depends from a bracket 43 fixed to the cam plate 33. A piston rod 45 is reciprocated by actuation of the air cylinder 41 for oscillating levers 46 which are mounted for rotation on the shaft 30. A pawl pin 47, mounted between the levers 46, supports a pawl 48 for cooperation with a ratchet gear 50 that is keyed to the shaft 30. It may be appreciated that reciprocation of the piston rod 45 and consequent oscillation of the levers 46 on the shaft 30, causes the pawl 48 to intermittently engage the teeth of the ratchet gear 50 for indexing the shaft 30 clockwise.

A mechanism 51 is provided for preventing retrograde movement of the shaft 30. The locking mechanism 51 includes a lever 52 pivotally mounted on a stub shaft 53 that is fixed to the upright frame members 26. A cam follower roller 55, mounted on the lever 52, is adapted to ride on the gear teeth of the ratchet gear 50 for rotating the lever 52 clockwise on the stub shaft 53. A rod 56, pivotally mounted to one of the ribs 32, is received in an aperture 57 provided in one end of the lever 52. A helical compression spring 58 is mounted on the rod 56 between the lever 52 and a nut 59 threaded onto the rod. The spring 58 is effective to urge the lever 52 counterclockwise for maintaining the roller in engagement with recesses 61 provided between the teeth of the gear 50. The roller 55 thus acts as a releasable locking member for holding the indexing disk 17 stationary under the action of the spring 58. When the ratchet and pawl mechanism 40 is actuated, the locking force of the spring 58 is overcome and releases the disk 17 to permit indexing thereof. At the end of the stroke of the levers 46, the roller 55 is received in one of the recesses 61 to once again releasably lock the disk 17 against rotation.

The indexing plate 17 is fixed to a hub 62 that is keyed to and is indexed by the shaft 30. Spacers 63 project from the right face of the indexing plate 17 (as viewed in FIG. 2) for supporting a lock plate 64. After the ratchet and pawl mechanism 40 has indexed the shaft 30 to advance the indexing plate 17 and the lock plate 64, a locking mechanism, generally indicated by the reference numeral 66, is actuated to advance a tapered shot pin 67 into a hollow bushing 68 mounted in the lock plate 64. The locking mechanism 66 includes a pneumatic cylinder 69 supported on a bracket 71 that depends from the right cam plate 35. Actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 69 advances a piston rod 72 to the left through a guide sleeve 73 that extends from the bracket 71. As the tapered shot pin 67 is advanced by the piston rod 72 into the hollow bushing 68, the tapered portion of the shot pin 67 cooperates with the bushing 68 to rotate the plate 64 slightly if the pin is not in exact alignment with the bushing.

4 Thus, the shot pin 67 is adapted to accurately locate and lock the plates 17 and 64 in position.

During a cycle of operation, the ratchet and pawl mechanism 40 and the locking mechanism 66 are alternately actuated for respectively advancing to and locking in alignment with the terminal setting mechanism 19 terminal blocks 15 received in the slots 16 of the indexing plate 17. A switch 74 (FIG. 2), mounted in a slot formed in the guide sleeve 73, is actuated by a cam 75 fixed to the shot pin 67. Actuation of the switch 74 is effective to energize the control circuits shown in FIG. 13 for precluding operation of the indexing mechanism 40 when the shot pin 67 is received in the bushing 68.

Terminal Block Feed Mechanism At the completion of each indexing movement of the disk 17, an empty slot 16 is positioned in alignment with a chute 77 of the terminal block feed mechanism 14. The control circuit is further effective at this time to energize a solenoid 78 of an escapement device 79 that is provided in the chute 77. The escapement 79 may be of the conventional type wherein a fulcrum support 80 pivotally supports a lever 81. Energization of the solenoid 78 advances an armature 82 to rotate the lever 81 on the support 80. Escapement bars 84, mounted on the lever 81 on opposite sides of the fulcrum support 80, are moved through apertures 85 provided in the chute 77 for feeding in seriatim terminal blocks 15 from the feed chute.

The solenoid 78 is energized each time a slot 16 is presented to the chute 77 so that the lowermost terminal block advances downwardly into an aligned slot 16. The ratchet and pawl mechanism 40 is then actuated for indexing the disk 17 whereupon the next successive slot 16 is aligned with the chute 77 and the previously fed terminal block 15 is indexed into alignment with the first pair of terminal setting mechanisms 19. At this time the terminal block 15 is held in a fixed position in the slot 16 by a clamping device 86 that is provided on the disk 17 in alignment with each of the slots 16.

Clamping Device The clamping device 86 is shown in detail in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, wherein the outermost radial portion 87 of the disk 17 is shown supporting four guide rods 89. Each guide rod 89 is received in an aperture 90 formed through the disk 17. A shoulder 91 provided on each guide rod 89 is held against the right face 92 of the disk 17 by a nut 94 that is threaded onto the opposite end of the rod whereby the guide rod 89 is rigidly held to the disk 17 and projects perpendicularly outward from both sides of the disk. The guide rods 89 that project from the left side of the disk are received in apertures 96 formed through a support plate 97 which is adapted to slide on the pins. In a similar manner, a support plate 98 is adapted to slide on the guide rods 89 that extend from the right side of the disk 17. Springs 99, mounted on the guide rods 89 and interposed between the disk 17 and each of the support plates 97 and 98, urge the latter outwardly from the disk. Cam followers 101 mounted for rotation on posts 102 that are fixed to each of the support plates 97 and 93 are urged outwardly by the action of the springs 99 into engagement with cam surfaces 103 and 104 of the cam plates 33 and 35.

It may be appreciated that as the disk 17 is indexed, the cam follower rollers 101, which are adapted to ride on the respective cam surfaces 103 and 104, are effective to advance the support plates 97 and 98 toward or away from each other according to the configuration of the cam surfaces. In this manner, clamp blocks 106 mounted to each of the support plates 97 and 98 may be advanced, from the retracted position shown in FIG. 6, toward each other into a position for clamping a terminal block 15 therebetween as shown in FIG. 4.

The cam surfaces 103 and 104 are so designed as to maintain the clamping blocks 106 of each clamping device 86 in the clamping position during the five successive indexing movements of each slot 16 from the chute 77 whereby a terminal block 15 is rigidly and accurately clamped in each slot 16 for receiving terminal pins 20 from each of the five pairs of terminal setting devices 19.

T erminal Setting Mechanism Referring to FIG. 7, one of the terminal setting mechanisms 19 is shown provided with the terminal supply receptacle 21 for feeding terminals 20 into chambers 107 of a magazine or guide cylinder 108 wherein pushrods or blades 109 are received. The pushrods 109 advance the terminals through the chambers 107, through apertures 110 provided in the clamp blocks 106, and into the apertures provided in the terminal block 15. As shown in FIG. 10, recesses 112 provided in the clamp blocks 106 receive the depending portions 113 of the terminals 20 that have been fully advanced into the terminal block 15. Subsequently the pushrods 109 are retracted and the disk 17 is indexed to successively align the partially assembled terminal block 15 with the next pair of terminal setting mechanisms 19. When a complete set of terminals 20 has been inserted into the terminal block 15, the disk 17 is indexed to align the fully assembled terminal block or assembly 22 with the discharge chute 24 whereupon the clamp blocks 106 are retracted and the completed terminal block assembly 22 drops through the slot 16 into the chute 24.

More specifically, referring again to FIG. 7, each of the terminal setting mechanisms 19 includes a hollow support cylinder 114 that is received in an aperture 115 formed through the cam plates 33 and 35. The support cylinder 114 is fixed to the cam plates by fasteners 117 that extend through a circumferential flange 118 formed integrally with the support cylinder. Toward the right extremity of the support cylinder 114 (as viewed in FIG. 7), an annular recess 119 is machined in the Wall thereof for receiving a shoulder 120 that is formed integrally with the solid guide cylinder 108. The solid guide cylinder 108 is mounted for rotation within the rightward nonrecessed diameter section of the support cylinder 114. The walls of the recess 119 and the shoulder 120 are designed to permit relative rotation between the guide cylinder 108 and the support cylinder 114, while limiting relative axial movement therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 9, the detailed structure of the guide cylinder 108 is shown including a pair of generally semicylindrical members 122 and 123 which define a solid cylinder when held together by fasteners 124. Generally T-shaped chambers 107 are machined in diametrically opposed portions of the guide cylinder 108 such that one edge of the cross-piece 125 of the T-shaped chamber 107 communicates with the periphery of the guide cylinder 108. When the guide cylinder 108 is in the position shown in FIG. 9, the cross-piece 125 is in alignment with a terminal feed slot or chute 127 that is formed in the terminal supply receptacle 21. The supply receptacle 21 is provided with flanges 128 that partially surround and are fixed to the outer periphery of the hollow cylinder 114 so that the feed slot 127 is maintained in a vertical position.

When the guide cylinder 108 is rotated within the support cylinder 114, the cross-pieces 125 of the chambers 107 are successively advanced into alignment with the feed slot 127 and receive a terminal therefrom. A gear 129 (FIGS. 7 and 8), welded or otherwise fixed to the outer periphery of the solid cylinder 108, is adapted to mesh with a sun gear 130 that is fixed to the disk 17 for rotation therewith. It may be appreciated that during indexing movement of the disk 17 and the consequent rotation of the sun gear 130, the sun gear is effective to rotate the gear 129. The gear 129 rotates the guide cylinder 108 within the support cylinder 114 whereby the 6 cross-pieces of the terminal receiving chambers 107 are successively aligned with and receive a terminal from the terminal feed chute 127.

An alternate embodiment of the terminal setting mechanism 19, which may be located at another of the terminal setting stations, is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 for advancing nail-like components, rods or terminals 132 into the surface of workpieces which may be terminal blocks 15. It is noted that a magazine or solid guide cylinder 133 also includes two semicylindrical halves 134 and 135 having recesses 136 provided therein. Fasteners 138 hold the halves 134 and 135 together so that the recesses 136 form a chamber 139. The chamber 139 includes a feed slot 140 through which the terminals 132 are fed from the feed chute 141 into a cylindrical passageway 142. The terminals are advanced through the passageway into the terminal block by cylindrical pushrods 144 that slide in the passageways. A gear 145 cooperates with the sun gear 130 in the same manner as the gear 129 for rotating the guide cylinder 133 within the hollow cylinder 114.

Referring again to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7, one end of each of the pushrods 109 is slidably mounted in each chamber 107. A reinforcing rib 146 provided on each of the pushrods 109, is received in a square guide portion 147 of each of the T-shaped chambers 107. The other end of each of the pushrods 109 is received in an aperture 149 machined in a piston 150 that is slidably re ceived within the bore of the support cylinder 114. A pin 151 is passed through an aperture 152 formed transversely through the apertures 149 in the piston 150 and through apertures formed in the pushrods for securing the pushrods in the apertures 149.

A counterbored recess 154 is machined in the end of the piston 150 opposite to the end wherein the apertures 149 are formed. Ball bearings 155, mounted on an end 156 of a piston rod 157, are received in the counterbored portion of the recess 154. A flange 159 provided on the end 156 of the piston rod 157 is held against the left face of the bearings by a headed fastener 160 that is threaded into a tapped aperture 161-formed in the end 156 of the piston rod 157. A retaining ring 162 is fastened to the left face of the piston 150 by fasteners 164. A shoulder 165, formed integrally with the retaining ring 162, engages and holds the bearings 155 within the counterbored portion of the recess 154.

Upon actuation of an air cylinder 166 for advancing the piston rod 157, the end 156 of the piston rod slides the piston 150 in the support cylinder 114. The piston 150 slides the pushrods 109 within the chambers 107 to advance terminals into the terminal block 15. It may be appreciated that the provision of the bearings 155 between the piston 150 and the end 156 of the piston rod 157 permits the piston 150 to rotate relative to the cylinder 114 without such rotation being transmitted to the piston rod 157. Thus, when the gear 129 rotates the solid guide cylinder 108, the pushrods 109 are free to rotate around the axis of the piston 150. In this manner, the pushrods 109 are constantly received in and rotate with the chambers 107 rather than being withdrawn from the chambers during rotation of the guide cylinder 108.

A collar 167 is firmly attached to the piston rod 157 intermediate its ends. Stop pins 169 and 170, mounted on the collar 167, slide within slots 171 provided in the walls of the hollow support cylinder 114. An internally threaded stop collar 172 is mounted on a threaded portion 174 formed on the outer periphery of the cylinder 114. The stop collar 172 cooperates with the stop pins 169 and for stopping the advancement of the piston 150 at any desired position within the length of the threaded portion 174. Thus, according to the configuration of the terminals 20 and the terminal blocks 15, the stop collar 172 may be adjustably positioned on the support cylinder 114 for stopping the advancement of the pushrods 109 when the terminals have been fully advanced into the terminal blocks.

A switch actuator 175 mounted on one of the stop pins 169 is effective to actuate a switch 176 when the terminals have been fully advanced into the terminal block. Actuation of the switch 176 energizes the control circuits for reversing the air cylinder 166. Reversal of the air cylinder 166 reverses the piston rod 157 whereupon the switch actuator 175 actuates a switch 177 when the piston rod 157 is fully retracted. The switch 177 energizes the control circuits for unlocking the indexing plate 17.

Operation The operation of the terminal setting apparatus may best be described by following the operation of the apparatus on a single terminal block. Assuming that the subject block is the lowermost terminal block positioned in the chute 77 shown in FIG. 3, the operation is initiated with actuation of the air cylinder 41 of the drive mechanism 40. The drive mechanism 40 indexes the plate 17 to advance a slot 16 into alignment with the chute 77. A cam 179 (FIG. 2) mounted on the indexing shaft then actuates a switch 180 of the control circuits. The control circuits actuate the air cylinder 69 of the locking mechanism 66 for advancing the shot pin 67 into the locking bushing 68. Advancement of the shot pin 67 closes a contact 181 of the switch 74, which causes the control circuits to actuate the escapement solenoid 78 (FIG. 3) for releasing the subject terminal block 15 which slides from the chute 77 into the slot 16. The locking mechanism 66 then reverses to retract the shot pin 67.

The drive mechanism is then again actuated for advancing the subject terminal block 15 into alignment with the first of the five pairs of terminal setting mechanisms 19.

During the indexing movement of the indexing plate 17, the sun gear 130 rotates the gear 129 of the terminal setting mechanism 19. Rotation of the gear 129 rotates the solid guide cylinder for successively aligning the crossportions 125 (FIG. 9) of the T-shaped guide chambers 107 with the terminal feed slot 127. At the completion of the indexing movement, the guide cylinder 108 has been rotated one revolution so that a terminal 20 is now received in each of the two guide chambers 107.

In addition, during the indexing movement of the indexing plate 17, the cam follower rollers 101 (FIG. 6) of the clamping device 86 are actuated by the cam surfaces 103 and 104 for moving the clamping blocks 106 into the clamping position shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. The terminal block 15 is thereby clamped in the slot 16 and is conditioned to receive terminal pins 20.

When the clamped terminal block is aligned with the first pair of terminal setting mechanisms 19, the locking mechanism 66 (FIG. 2) is again actuated for rigidly locking the terminal block in alignment therewith. The switch 74 is closed by advancement of the shot pin 67, and energizes the control circuit which then actuates the air cylinders 166 of the five opposed pairs of terminal setting mechanisms 19. Actuation of the air cylinders 166 advances the piston rod 157 into the position shown in FIG. 10.

During the advancement of the piston rods 157 (FIG. 10), the pushrods 109 are slidably advanced through the chambers 107 for advancing the terminals 20 there through, through the apertures 110 provided in the clamp blocks 106, and into the terminal block 15. When the terminals are fully advanced into the terminal block 15, the switch 176 is actuated by the actuator 175 for reversing the air cylinders 166. Reversal of the air cylinders 166 returns the piston rods 157 to the position shown in FIG. 7 whereupon the switch 177 is actuated by the actuator 175. Actuation of the switch 177 further energizes the control circuits for reversing the air cylinder 69 (FIG. 2). Reversal of the air cylinder 69 removes the shot pin 67 from the bushing 68. As the piston rod 72 reverses, the switch 74 is opened for energizing the control circuits to actuate the index cylinder 41 (FIG. 1). Actuation of the index cylinder 41 drives the ratchet and pawl mechanism 40 for indexing the now partially completed terminal block 15 into alignment with the next subsequent pair of terminal setting mechanisms 19. During such movement between the indexing mechanisms, the clamping blocks are maintained in the clamping position to firmly hold the partially completed terminal block in the slot 16.

At each of the four subsequent pairs of terminal Setting mechanisms, an operation similar to the one above-described, is performed. The terminal block has received a full set of terminals and is thus completed when it is advanced fromthe lowermost or final terminal setting mechanism 182 toward the receiving chute 24. When the completed terminal block or assembly 22 reaches the receiving chute 24, the clamping device springs 99 (FIG. 4) are effective to retract the clamping blocks 106 for releasing the assembly 22. The released assembly slides downwardly through the slot 16 and into the receiving chute 24.

Electra-Pneumatic Control Circuits The electro-pneumatic control circuits shown in FIG. 13 are provided for automatically controlling the operational cycle of the terminal setting apparatus. The control circuits include a high-current power supply 184 that is connected by a conductor 185 to a push button switch 186. A second low-current power supply 188 is connected by a conductor 189 to a second push button switch 190.

In the operation of the terminal setting apparatus, the operator closes the push button switch 186 to connect the power source 184 to a circuit that may be traced through a conductor 191, through a normally closed contact 192, and through a coil 194 of a solenoid valve 195 to ground. Energization of the solenoid coil 194 actuates the solenoid valve 195 to supply air pressure from a pneumatic supply condit 196 to the index cylinder 41. The index cylinder 41 actuates the ratchet and pawl device 40 for indexing the shaft 30 one increment.

At the end of the indexing movement of the shaft 30, the cam 179 actuates a switch actuator arm 198 to close a contact 199 of the switch 180. Closing of the contact 199 completes a circuit that may be traced from a conductor 200, through the now closed contact 199, and through a relay 201 to ground. Energization of the relay 201 draws up a normally open contact 202 to complete a circuit that may be traced from the conductor 191, through a normally closed contact 204, through a coil 205 of a solenoid valve 206, and through the now closed contact 202 to ground. Energization of the coil 205 actuates the solenoid valve 206 for supplying air pressure from the pneumatic supply conduit 196 to the air cylinder 69. Actuation of the air cylinder 69 advances the piston rod 72 to insert the shot pin 67 into the bushing 68 of the lock plate 64 for holding the indexing plate 17 in its indexed position. As the shot pin 67 is inserted into the bushing 68, the cam 75 mounted on the piston rod 72, engages an actuator arm 208 of the switch 74 to close a contact 209. Closure of the contact 209 completes a circuit that may be traced through from the conductor 200, through a relay 210, and through the now closed contact 209 to ground. Energization of the relay 210 opens the normally closed contact 192 and draws up normally open contacts 212 and 213. Closure of the contact 192 deenergizes the solenoid coil 194. Deenergization of the solenoid coil 194 releases the solenoid valve 195 which permits the pawl 48 to rotate counterclockwise in anticipation of the next subsequent indexing of the piston rod 45.

Closure of the contact 212 completes a circuit that may be traced from the conductor 191, through a normally closed contact 214, through a coil 215 of the solenoid 78, and through the now closed contact 212 to ground. Energization of the solenoid coil 215 actuates the solenoid armature 82 for pivoting the escapement lever 81. The lowermost escapement bar 84 is thereby retracted from the chute 77 to permit a terminal block to advance into one of the slots 16.

Closure of the contact 213 completes a circuit that may be traced from the conductor 191 through a normally closed contact 217, through the now closed contact 213, and through a solenoid coil 219. Energization of the solenoid coil 219 actuates a solenoid valve 220 for connecting the pneumatic supply conduit 196 to the terminal setting air cylinders 166 for advancing the blades 109 to perform the terminal setting operation.

It may be appreciated that the relay 210 in simultaneously releasing the contact 192 and drawing up the contact 212, prevents the indexing mechanism 40 from functioning not only while the terminal setting blades 109 are extended, but also while the shot pin 67 is inserted within the bushing 68. Thus the locking mechanism piston rod 72 is effective to preclude operation of the indexing mechanism 40 upon actuation of the air cylinder 69.

When the pushrods 109 are fully advanced to the right (as shown in FIG. 7) during the terminal setting operation, the switch actuator 175 positions a contact 221 of the switch 176 to complete a circuit that may be traced from the conductor 200, through a relay 223, and through the now closed contact 221 to ground. Energization of the relay 223 draws up a normally open contact 224 and opens the normally closed contacts 214 and 217. Closure of the contact 224 completes a holding circuit that may be traced from the conductor 200, through the relay 223, through the now closed contact 224, and through a normally closed contact 225 to ground. Thus when the air cylinder 166 reverses for moving the switch actuator 175 to the left out of engagement with the contact 221, the relay 223 is maintained energized.

Opening of the contact 214 is effective to deenergize the solenoid coil 215 whereby the escapernent bars 84 are reversed in position to permit advancement of the terminal blocks to the lowermost escapement bar 84.

Opening the contact 217 is effective to deenergize the solenoid coil 219 for reversing the solenoid valve 220. Reversal of the solenoid valve 220 actuates the air cylinders 166 to advance the piston rods 157 to the left. When the piston rods 157 are fully advanced to the left (as shown in FIG. 7), the switch actuator 175 positions a contact 226 of the switch 177 to complete a circuit that may be traced from the conductor 200, through a timedelay relay 228, and through the contact 226 to ground. Energization of the time-delay relay 228 immediately opens both of the contacts 225 and 204. Opening of the contact 225 is effective to open the relay 223 holding circuit which deenergizes the relay 223. The normally open contact 224 is thereby released and opens, whereas the normally closed contact 214 is released and closes.

At the same time as the contact 225 opens, the contact 204 opens to open the circuit through the coil 205. Deenergization of the coil 205 is eifective to advance the piston rod 72 to the left (as viewed in FIG. 13) for unlocking the indexing plate 17. Advancement of the piston rod 72 to the right moves the cam 75 out of engagement with the actuator arm 208. The arm 208 opens the contact 209 which deenergizes the relay 210. Deenergization of the relay 210 releases the normally open contacts 212 and 213. The normally open contacts 212 and 213 are opened so that the feeding solenoid coil 215 and the terminal setting device coil 219 may remain deenergized inasmuch as the normally closed contacts 214 and 217 have been released as an additional result of the deenergization of the relay 223.

Deenergization of the relay 210 releases the contact 192 to again complete the circuit through the solenoid coil 194 whereupon the ratchet and pawl indexing mechanism 40 is actuated to advance the indexing plate 17. When the solenoid coil 194 is reenergized, the time-delay relay 228 times out and releases the normally closed contacts 225 and 204. Closure of the contact 225 conditions the relay 223 holding circuit for subsequent completion upon actuation of the piston rod 157. Similarly, closure of the contact 204 conditions the circuit that may be traced from the conductor 191, through the now closed contact 204, through the solenoid coil 205, and through the contact 202 to ground. This circuit, it is noted, is now open because during the indexing of the shaft 30, the cam 179 maintains the contact 199 open, whereby the relay 201 is not energized. The relay 201 does not draw upon the contact 202 to complete the circuit, until the indexing movement is completed. At such time upon closure of the contact 202, the solenoid coil 205 is energized and the operational cycle continues.

It may be appreciated that the apparatus operates in the above-described cyclical manner so long as the operator maintains the push button switches 186 and 190 closed. If fully automatic operation is desired, toggle switches may be substituted for the push button switches 136 and 190.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of an application of the principies of the application. Numerous other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and will fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for driving a slender component into a workpiece, means for feeding components, carrier means for advancing a workpiece, guide means actuated by said carrier means and moved relative to said carrier means for receiving components from said feeding means, means for driving the components through said guide means and into the workpiece, and means actuated by the carrier means upon advancement of a workpiece into alignment with the guide means for actuating the driving means.

2. In a device for driving slender articles arranged in a predetermined pattern into a workpiece, means for feeding articles, carrier means for advancing a workpiece, means actuated by the advancing carrier means and moved relative to said carrier means for receiving and arranging articles fed from said feeding means in said predetermined pattern, and means rendered effective upon advance of said carrier for driving said articles through said arranging means and into said workpiece.

3. In an apparatus for driving a slender component into a block, means for guiding a component, carrier means for advancing a block into alignment with the component guiding means, means rendered effective by said carrier means advancing said block for feeding components into said guiding means, means mounted in said guiding means for driving the components through said guiding means into said aligned block, and means actuated by the carrier means for moving said driving means to drive said component into said aligned block.

4. In a mechanism for assembling a component and a workpiece, means for feeding components, guide means having a chamber, means for movably mounting the guide means to advance the chamber into position to receive a component, carrier means for advancing workpieces into alignment with the guide means, means received in said chamber operated by an advance of the carrier means for driving a component through said chamber and into an aligned workpiece, means actuated by said driving means for indexing said carrier means to align a successive workpiece with the guide means; and means actuated by the indexing of the carrier means for moving said guide means relative to said carrier means to align said chamber with the feeding means.

5. In an article assembling machine, a plurality of chutes for first components, a plurality of magazines mounted for movement past said chutes to receive components from said chutes, a carrier for holding second components, means for successively advancing said carrier to move said second components into alignment with said magazines, means actuated by said advancing carrier for moving said magazines relative to said carrier and past said chutes to receive said first components, and means rendered effective by each advance of said carrier for advancing said components from said magazines to the carrier and said second components.

6. In a device for seating inserts in an article, a rotatably mounted cylinder having a pair of diametrically opposed slots for receiving inserts, a carrier for advancing an article into register with said slots, means for advancing said carrier, means actuated by said advancing carrier for rotating said cylinder one half a revolution to move relative to said carrier, a pair of blades mounted within said cylinder for movement through said slots, and means operated by the advance of said carrier for advancing said blades through said slots.

7. In an apparatus for inserting rods into a block, chute means for feeding rods, a rotary cylinder provided with guide chambers movable into successive alignment with the chute means for receiving rods therefrom, carrier means for moving a block into alignment with the rotary cylinder, means actuated by said carrier means for rotating said rotary cylinder relative to the carrier means to feed rods into said chambers, pusher means slidably mounted in each of said chambers and rotated with the rotary cylinder for advancing rods through the chambers into the block, and means rendered effective after rotation of said pusher means for sliding said pusher means whereby the rods are advanced through the chambers and into the block.

8. In a device for setting terminals into apertures formed in a predetermined pattern in a terminal block, a guide cylinder having axially extending chambers formed therein in a pattern corresponding to said predetermined pattern for receiving terminals, carrier means having a terminal block receiving slot therein for advancing a terminal block into alignment with said guide cylinder, clamp means rendered effective by advancement of said carrier means for holding a terminal block in said slot, said clamp means having apertures provided therein in a pattern corresponding to said predetermined pattern, means slidably received in said chambers for advancing the terminals through the chambers and the apertures in the clamp means into said terminal block, and means rendered effective upon operation of said clamp means for actuating said advancing means to set the terminals in the terminal block.

9. In an apparatus for driving a terminal into a terminal block, a rotary cylinder having terminal receiving chambers formed therein, a chute for feeding terminals into said chambers, first gear means mounted on said rotary cylinder for rotating said cylinder to successively align said chambers with said chute, carrier means for advancing a terminal block into alignment with said cylinder, second gear means driven by said carrier means for rotating said first gear means, means slidable in said chambers operated by an advance of the carrier means for driving the terminals through said chambers into the aligned workpiece, means actuated by said driving means for reversing said driving means, and means actuated by said reversing means for indexing said carrier means.

10. In an apparatus for driving a terminal into a terminal block, a terminal feed chute, a rotary cylinder having guide chambers and passageways for feeding terminals from the chute to the guide chambers, a first gear fixed to said rotary cylinder, a carrier plate for advancing terminal blocks into alignment with said chambers, means for indexing said carrier plate, a second gear driven by said carrier plate for rotating said first gear to rotate said rotary cylinder relative to said carrier plate, blades slidably received in each guide chamber for driving the terminals therethrough into said blocks, means rendered effective upon rotation of said rotary cylinder for advancing said blades, and rotary coupling means mounted between said advancing means and said blades for transmitting axial motion therebetween and permitting said blades to rotate with the rotary cylinder relative to said advancing means.

11. In an apparatus for driving a set of terminals into a terminal block, a frame, a plurality of opposed pairs of terminal guide cylinders mounted at evenly spaced intervals on the frame, each of said cylinders having terminal guide chambers formed therein, carrier means mounted on the frame between the opposed pairs of terminal guide cylinders for advancing terminal blocks into alignment with each of said pairs of guide cylinders, said carrier means having terminal block receiving slots formed therein at intervals corresponding to said evenly spaced intervals, means rendered effective upon advancement of said terminal blocks for feeding terminals, means on the carrier for rotating said guide cylinders relative to said carrier means to position said chambers to receive terminals from said feeding means, means actuated by the carrier means for driving terminals through the chambers of each of the opposed pairs of guide cylinders into each of the aligned terminal blocks, and means actuated by said driving means for indexing said carrier means whereby a set of terminals is driven into each terminal block advanced past the opposed pairs of guide cylinders.

12. In an apparatus for feeding articles, a vertical chute for storing articles, a cylindrical member having diametrically-opposed slots extending inwardly from the periphery in line with said chute along the entire longitudinal length of the member, a casing partially surrounding said cylindrical member for rotatably mounting said cylindrical member to advance said slots past the lower terminus of said chute to receive said stored articles, a pair of pushers slidably mounted within said slots, a cyclically in dexed carrier for advancing a terminal block into alignment with the cylindrical member, gear means advanced by the carrier for rotating said cylindrical member relative to said carrier, and means rendered effective by the completion of an index of said carrier for sliding said pushers through said slots to deliver said articles to the aligned terminal block.

13. In an apparatus for inserting a pair of terminals in a block, a chute for receiving a supply of terminals, a cylinder having a pair of opposed radial slots, means for rotatably mounting said cylinder to position one of said slots in register with the terminus of said chute to receive a first terminal, a pair of pushers mounted for movement with said cylinder and for movement through said slots, a first gear mounted on said cylinder for rotating the cylinder to position the other slot in register with the terminus of said chute, a carrier for receiving a block, means for advancing the carrier to position the block in alignment with the ends of radial slots formed in the cylinder, a second gear mounted on the carrier for advancing the first gear to move the second slot into register with the terminus of the chute to receive a second terminal, and means actuated by the advance of the carrier for moving the pushers through said slots to advance the first and second terminals into the block.

14. In an apparatus for driving terminals into a terminal board,

a chute for feeding terminals,

a hollow support cylinder having a slot to receive and pass terminals,

a solid guide cylinder rotatably mounted within said support cylinder, said guide cylinder having a diametrically opposed pair of dotted guide chambers for receiving the terminals passed through said slot from said chute,

a cyclically indexed carrier for advancing a terminal board into alignment with one end of the guide cyinder,

means actuated by said carrier for rotating said guide cylinder relative to said carrier to load the slotted guide chambers with terminals and position said terminals relative to the aligned terminal board,

a pair of pushrods slidably mounted within the slotted guide chambers of the guide cylinder for advancing the terminals into the terminal board,

a piston rod slidably mounted within the support cylinder,

means coupling said pushrods to said piston rod for rota-tive movement of said pushrods about the longitudinal axis of the piston rod with said guide cylinder, and

means rendered efiective upon the completion of an index of said carrier for advancing said piston rod within said support cylinder to advance the pushrods to seat the terminals in said aligned board.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Ross Feb. 27, 1940 Habel Oct. 26, 1954 Bryner et a1. Sept. 18, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 18, 1932.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N00 3 144 706 August l8 1964 Anthony J, Vrsecky It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 8 line 36 for "'condit" read conduit column 12,, line 63. for "dotted" read slotted Signed and sealed this 24th day of November 19640 (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Altesting Officer I Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR DRIVING A SLENDER COMPONENT INTO A WORKPIECE, MEANS FOR FEEDING COMPONENTS, CARRIER MEANS FOR ADVANCING A WORKPIECE, GUIDE MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID CARRIER MEANS AND MOVED RELATIVE TO SAID CARRIER MEANS FOR RECEIVING COMPONENTS FROM SAID FEEDING MEANS, MEANS FOR DRIVING THE COMPONENTS THROUGH SAID GUIDE MEANS AND INTO THE WORKPIECE, AND MEANS ACTUATED BY THE CARRIER MEANS UPON ADVANCEMENT OF A WORKPIECE INTO ALIGNMENT WITH THE GUIDE MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE DRIVING MEANS. 